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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

10 questions to think about before you get a pet

Updated December 23, 2015
Are you looking to give a pet a new home for Christmas this year? While we have a number of cats and dogs here at the Animal Services Centre we want you to think about a few things before adopting this Christmas:

Memphis is looking for someone willing to shower her with lots
of love and attention

What will my life look like in the future? The pet you adopt today could live up to 10 to 15 years or more. Planning how you will care for your pet in the future is important to think about before you make the lifelong commitment.

How much time do I have every day? Pets can demand a lot of time and even cats require you to have a routine and schedule. Walking, playing, grooming, feeding and training are just some of the things that will regularly have you sharing your time with your furry companion.

Can I afford it? Animals can be very expensive. High quality food, grooming appointments, pet supplies, training classes and veterinary care expenses are just some of the costs you will encounter as a pet owner.

Am I willing to put in the training time? Dogs and cats aren’t born knowing good manners – they need to learn. Investing time into training isn’t just about building skills though, it’s also about building a relationship with your new dog or cat during a special time together.

Do I have kids or am I planning to have kids? If you have children or if kids are in your future you will need to plan around that when choosing what pet to adopt. Just like humans, not all pets love hanging out with kids.

What is your family hoping for? Are you looking for a furry friend to snuggle on the couch? An exercise buddy? An agility star? Having a clear idea of what you hope to get out of your relationship with your new pet will help you narrow down your choices when considering potential adoptees!

Does your family already have other pets? If you have pets in the home, how will you prepare them for the new arrival? Both The City and Calgary Humane Society require any dog-to-dog introductions before an adoption is final.

Is my house pet friendly? Many dogs and cats never cause any property damage in a home, but just in case it is important that you pet-proof as much as possible and temporarily put away any items you fear may get damaged until you understand how your new pet behaves at home.

Have I done enough research? Different breeds and ages will vary in their personalities and energy levels, so plenty of research prior to committing to a new friend is essential.

Am I ready to make a lifetime commitment? Adoption decisions should never be rushed. If you need extra time to think about your adoption decision it is okay to sleep on it. There will always be animals looking for a "forever home."

3 comments:

12. Does getting a pitbull, the breed of dog responsible for every single attack on a child in Calgary this year that resulted in significant injuries make sense? 13. Does my neighbor own a pitbull, the breed of dog responsible for killing every dog killed in Calgary last year in a dog attack? 14. Does my city plan on following the 41 countries around the world that have bans or restrictions on pitbull ownership or will it continue to allow the wholesale importing of adult male pitbulls from the U.S. by a very small group of misguided "charities"?

At this time, The City does not plan on a breed ban. The solution lies with responsible dog ownership. Any dog can bite and will. We continue to work on strategies that help mitigate aggressive dog risks.

Also, the statements in your comments about pitbulls in Calgary are not correct.

Education is our priority - with dog owners, citizens and children – helping them learn how to handle and behave near dogs and to understand signs that may suggest an aggressive incident is about to occur.

Animal & Bylaw Services will review the Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw in 2016. This will include a public engagement component which we hope will help address perceptions around specific breeds. Thank you for your input.